Since monastics are not allowed to cook for themselves, they rely on the generosity of the community to provide the meals. 5 kitchen volunteers cooked up sufficient food for 25 people. On the table were Thai curries and dragonfruit.
The monastics ate first; then it was time for the lay people to walk around the buffet table.
The 11 monks are on their annual 3-month retreat. Nevertheless, we had a sweet conversation with Ajahn Chaganando after lunch. My neighbor took a bag of apples as her offering; i took a bag full of various tick repellents. The monks live in tiny cabins out in the New England forest, which is rife with deer ticks.
I admired the orchids on the altar, and couldn't take my eyes off the blue and purple orchid.
Generosity goes round and round. I give; they give; you give.
Thank you dear reader.
